Despite jazz being difficult to get into, I respect the vibes and skill. An intrepid album that makes for easy listening.
Starting off strong with a Sonic Rush reference. We have to stan.
Night of the Living Baseheads ran so The World Ends With You could walk. I said what I said.
The most "product of its time" album I've heard so far.
Finally, something interesting! Could've done without the addition of lyrics to well-known themes. Overall, silly and fun to listen to.
Couldn't finish it, just not for me!
Goofy enough to inspire me to start recording my own music...thank you, Mr. Simon.
Indie rock I could stand listening to!
AGAIN, finally some good fucking food. It's weeks at a time that something interesting turns up on this list. Devastating.
Killer af, would listen again.
I wish I could give this a 2.75, it's not that bad!
They really let this guy have a career? I guess things were dire back then...
You can't make me listen to Bob again !!!
Maybe I should've cherished Bob Dylan a little more while I had him.
I could never get into Bowie, alas...
A breath of fresh air in comparison to the absolute slog I've had for the last week. Who doesn't love latin hip-hop from the early aughts?
FINALLYYYYY - such an easy listen, it's fire, nothing else on this list freaking MATTERS
We have to stan. Except for the singular track that set off my tinnitus. Stellar overall!
I think this is what Bob Dylan would've sounded like if he was even a little bit good. 2.75.
Thank you Beastie Boys for saving my life amidst a dreary folk rock weekend. Thank you!!!!
Snooze fest. You would think this would be beyond exciting with how universally recognized this cover art is, for better or worse.
Now this is real music. What a dream, what a journey. Loved every minute.
Slow start, but I ended up really liking this album. Went a lot of places and didn't mind. 4.25.
Favorite tracks: Rodney Yates, Radio 7, Slashers Revenge, Don't Die Just Yet.
I remember trying to listen to Prince when I was younger and not liking what I heard. My dad would make references to Purple Rain all the time, so I thought it had to be good, surely. With this relisten, ~15 years later, I was hoping it was just my crappy teenage taste. I still don't find myself liking this unfortunately. I have to stan this icon on paper, at least, if not by ear.
I never would've expected this on here. I like Musgraves's voice, but I think this is due to the fact that I worked at Claire's between 2015-2018, which makes me predisposed to enjoying this kind of music in an almost Stockholm syndrome-like way. Unfortunately, I need more pop in my country to really land, and this album was leaning more in the dentist's office waiting room direction. Not terrible, but I can only stomach these tunes within their context. 2.75.
Go, white boy, go!! Finally, rock I can stand listening to and *enjoy*. This is probably the second album in my run of 50+ albums (so far) that I'm happy to have discovered through this exercise.
Favorite track: Sworn & Broken.
A fun listen, but I think I would've appreciated it more if I watched the film this is from. Like many others have said, I wish there was more diversity in this godforsaken list, because this certainly isn't the end all be all of Indian music and I'd love to experience a fuller breadth of a culture's offerings.
Dimery, it's on sight.
Fire. Loved the copious amount of instrumental tracks. 4.5.
Not for me, alas...it took days to listen to this. Some of it was interesting, though.
Beyond stellar. Loved every minute, but these were my favorites: Sunshine (Go away today), Summer Breeze, Highways of my Life.
I have a soft spot in my heart for this flavor of country. 3.75 but rounding up to an official 4 because of the beautiful harmonizing.
Stairway to Heaven is hard carrying, but this band, this album, is a staple for a reason. Yes, rock is predominantly hot ass, but even if my interest waned there and again during this listen, it's far and away some of the best I've heard on this list. Kudos for being even a little bit interesting!
Finally, an album you absolutely *must* listen to. I was hesitant because KL's voice is not...my favorite, but I never sat down to give an album the old college try. This is absolutely a product of its time and it's still relevant 11 years later. I was hooked throughout the album...something that is nearly impossible with all the dreck that is on this list, so that's an immediate win for me. I hesitate to name a favorite track because all of them held my interest, but it's probably (predictably) King Kunta.
It's telling how many dismiss this album on the grounds of "profanity", "self-indulgence", and "typical fuck hoes get money" type shit. It will be no surprise to anyone that these people are probably those who swear up and down English rock bands (or, heaven forbid, Bob Dylan) are musical revolutionaries we should be so lucky to listen to. I can only hope the likes of you grow up one day.
While TPaB is hardly original in its themes, it's unique, ambitious, and stupid catchy. Well deserved 5/5.
Not what I expected. Pretty good! 3.5.
What a classic. I've always liked how half the songs in here have a mid-2010's sound, despite being an album from 2007.
Great album. Favorite tracks: Can It All Be So Simple, Verbal Intercourse, North Star.
Shout out to the beat in Can It Be All So Simple for sounding like the foundation for Dive into the Mellow (Aquatic Mine) from Sonic Adventure 2.
I only like one OMD song and it's not even on this album. A shame.
Such an easy listen. Loved every minute.
There were some songs I really liked, but I agree with most others that this went on for a bit too long.
At least it was quick. Not for me.
The Beatles if they were good. Okay listening. 2.75, but rounding up to a 3.
I like easy listening, but this is too sleepy for me. Favorite track: Waiting For a Dream.
I said this earlier, I do have a fondness for country like this, but this was just a bit too long... I survived the whole listen though. More than can be said of other albums I've had to deal with.
Favorite tracks: Flint Hill Special, Togary Mountain, Earl's Breakdown, Orange Blossom Special, Will the Circle Be Unbroken.
Finally, 60s rock that's actually good! Solid album, solid sound. The last few albums I've had to listen to as though I were a captive in a hostage situation were slow as molasses and eons long. I think that's the only reason I wish this album was a few tunes longer, like I've been starved in a desert and was only allowed a few merciful sips of water before the glass was taken away. I'm still wanting. Alas.
Favorite tracks: Expecting to Fly, Bluebird, Good Time Boy.
Nearly 100 albums in and I finally get an album that I not only like, but have listened to *multiple times*. I was obsessed with this album as a kid and I feared it wouldn't hold up, but I had a great time relistening to it. 50% of the fun I had was surely nostalgia, but I was hooked again from start to finish - a milestone rarely achieved by any of the albums in this list.
I hesitate to say this is an album you *must* listen to before you die...if I heard this cold and for the first time today, who knows if it would have left such an impression. Regardless, it's certainly one of the best choices on this list. In the top ten of what I've heard so far, for sure.
A firm 4.75 out of 5, bumped up to a 5 here, on account of the childhood wistfulness.
Not for me, but kept me motivated through a morning at work.
Interesting! (Or should I say endteresting?) I was hooked with the first few tracks, and then it kinda...all blended together. Which made for a seamless listening experience, but...a little too mellow. The length of the album probably didn't help either. If this was just a smidge shorter, I think it would've been great. But I'm sad to say I got sleepy in the back half. A fair album.
Killer first album. We have to stan. Favorite tracks: Dazed & Confused, I Can't Quit You Baby, How Many Times.
I have no words for how immediately this album put me into a fight or flight situation. It REEKS of axe body spray, chevron print fabric, gladiator sandals, and side bangs. I *can't* hang. I just can't.
I was going to compare this to the music I hate the most on this album - sad boy British moaning and groaning (Rock? Post-punk? Whatever) - but this is immeasurably worse. I've come so close to ripping the headphones from my ears and ragequitting. I think the visceral response is due to the fact that I lived through 2008 a fully conscious human being, as opposed to having to hear about the so-called "greats" of decades long past. Girl, this is hot ass. I wonder if haters of The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and all their ilk felt this way both during the peak of their careers and having to hear their music coincidentally, long after they've become irrelevant. I'm considering visiting elderly care homes and shaking their residents' hands for being so brave.
There were a few people here that referred to Steely Dan as "mall music" and I cannot fathom why when this is the most mall ass music of all time. Listen to this! With your ears! Please! It's so beyond basic it engenders anger in people! (People is me.)
I think we all know this list is predominantly just "Dimery's Favorite Tunes" that he wants to subject us to, but this one - I can't imagine it's on this list for anything more than "oh, those two songs were in the public consciousness/commercials for a few years". Every other week I threaten that it's on sight with this dude. But today, I swear I mean it. I look forward to the day another album grinds my gears like this, but I'm praying I get at least a week of peace until then.
Tracks that triggered me the most: Sex on Fire, Use Somebody.
I really enjoyed the second half of the album. Just fun, easy listening. 3.75
Favorite tracks: Darkness, Do or Die.
Not for me...interesting sounds, though I wish the first track didn't nearly set off my tinnitus issues.
This was a case of thinking this was mostly boring when I was kid, but really enjoyed it on my present-day listen. The second half was catchy and unique, the first half remains boring, but not enough to bum me out. I'm glad to have revisited it.
Favorite tracks: In the Morning of Magicians, Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell, It's Summertime, All We Have is Now, Approaching Pavonis Mons by Balloon (Utopia Planitia)
... Do You Realize? gets an honorable mention because it was my favorite song when I was a kid and couldn't get into any other track. But I think that's obvious, given its popularity.
Classic, easy-listening 80s. Neutrally okay.
Favorite track: Blinder by the Hour.
Not the worst I've heard, but I'm falling asleep here.
Does it get better than this? No, I don't think so. Fire. 4.75.
Not the worst Rolling Stones album I've heard, that's for sure...but still...let me out of this cage, I'm not doing fine, etc. etc.
Oh, The National, never change.
Not quite the kind of blues that does it for me, but an easy listen. 2.75 rounded down.
Unfortunately, I worked at Claire's shortly after this album's release, and unfortunately, I had a great time there. This is all to say, I have a fond place in my heart for half of the tracks on this album, despite my raging dislike for Swift. This album is simple, fun pop - they're practically all earworms and sugary sweet, made up of zero substance. A guilty pleasure at best.
It's interesting that I haven't heard a song of Swift's that has captured my attention the same way this album did. I wonder if she started taking herself too seriously after this one.
Overall, I don't think this is an album you *must* listen to before you die. And besides, if you're in North America, you probably already have against your will.
3.75 rounded down to 3.
So good!! Of its time, in the best way possible. Happy to rediscover Missy Elliott.
Undeniably changed the game. I appreciate this album more than I did when I was younger and first listened.
Not bad, not for me. But I can respect this genre for providing the foundation to other works that I enjoy more. Thanks, Slayer. 2.75 rounded up to 3.
Middling synthpop that no one has to listen to before they die. It's not even on 'overrated' levels of recognizability (a la MGMT's Oracular Spectacular, Kings of Leon's Only by the Night, any Daft Punk/Taylor Swift album, etc). Since this is seemingly *English* pop, I hope my perspective is overly American, and perhaps this is to someone across the pond as Only by the Night was to me - rash-inducing horror. Only then, do I suppose, it merits being on this list.
Evocative and mesmerizing. A journey. A testament to the pianist's endurance, creativity, and vision.
Interesting. Never heard of Roxy Music before.
The most nothing, white noise, falling asleep ass album of all time. Who cares!
This is probably good reggae...it doesn't sound like bad reggae...but I'm sad to say reggae doesn't agree with me.
I love me some house. Shout out to Barbie Fashion Show for having a track that sounds like it would fit right in with this album. I couldn't think of anything more I would want to scribble out fashion design templates to. Yes, that's all I could think about while listening.
Favorite tracks: I See, Strung Out (Edit), Hold On To Me.
Better reggae than the last album I got. Still not quite for me, but it's always fun to have that "oh, *that's* where that song is from!" moment when going through this list. 2.75 rounded up to 3.
It is on sight with this mf, but unfortunately this album is so of its time its charming. Pure nostalgia, which we all know means nothing. If I can't conjure up anything more to say than this reminds me of family cookouts and is easy to listen to, it can't be *that* vital to a list like this. It made me think back to when all these white artists were obsessed with dipping their toes (well, I guess more like cannonballing) into the R&B pool in the early 2000s...something must've been in the air. Because really, what the hell? Shoo. Get.
Settling on a 3.5, rounded down to 3. It certainly made its mark, has classics millennials will get misty-eyed over, and isn't English rock dreck.
It makes sense how Seven Nation Army is the only thing that survived this album, but I don't think it merits being on this list. The White Stripes had a sound that I think people looking for a specific feeling would enjoy.
2.5 rounded up to a 3.
Easy listening. Thanks, Neil. 3.75 rounded down to 3.
I didn't think I'd ever enjoy Depeche Mode. This was pretty solid!
An easy listen. Fun as ever. 3.25 rounded down to 3.
Ah, the white man's reggae...not bad. I can see why those two songs are still in the cultural zeitgeist. Still not quite for me. But catchy.
Too close to the 60s to be enjoyable. Snoozefest. Due for one given the two weeks of good music I've had so far.
Listened to this as a teen, didn't like it so much. Definitely enjoy it now, especially the last few ambient tracks. What the hell was going on there? I demand more of it. 3.5 rounded down to 3.
Short n' sweet. Easy listening. 2.75 rounded down to a 2.
It's Lorde. Album is very of its time. I never liked her voice and it's somewhat nice to know I still don't and it wasn't just me acting "too cool" to enjoy mainstream (at the time) music in my early 20s. I only liked Green Light and it's a shame the album started and ended so strongly with the first track. A firm 2.
Moving and weird. I'm a fan. 3.75 rounded down to a 3.
Easy listening that verges on too easy. Nothing really stood out to me. Music I would hear in a dilapidated Macy's. Great mood setting for wandering a mall fighting a losing battle, but not so much fun to listen to for leisure. 1.5 rounded up to 2.
Unrepentant fun. 4.25 rounded down to a 4.
FINALLY SOME GOOD FUCKING FOOD!!
Not bad, I've heard worse! 3.25 rounded down to 3.
Favorite tracks: This Mess We're In, Horses In My Dreams, We Float
Classic for a reason, it seems. Favorite tracks: My Sweet Lord, Isn't It a Pity, Art of Dying, Out of the Blue. 3.75 rounded up to a 4.
So fun! Easy to listen to and an interesting sound. I might've ate this up if I heard it when it was released. 3.5 rounded up to a 4.
Very cool! Didn't expect much at first, but I suppose that's why you don't judge a book by its cover. Love finding things that are dots along the line to Sonic Rush / Jet Set Radio OSTs.
Favorite tracks: Right Here, Right Now & Praise You
Aretha the woman that you are...!! 3.75 rounded down to 3.
It's R.E.M. ... it all blends together at some point. 2.75 rounded down to 2.
The sixties....please let me out....please............
Banger after banger after banger...a classic. 4.75 rounded down to a 4.
Not so bad. Flat 3.
Favorite track: Private Life
Better than I expected. I like his voice. Favorite track: The Ocean. 3.75 rounded down to 3.
[shoves Sinatra into a spike pit] Thank you Antonio Carlos Jobim for my life <3
On no earth can you get me to listen to this guy - pass!!
Makeba has an enchanting voice. I enjoyed the variety of the eponymous album.
This old man is putting me to sleep, but in a good way (for once!)
Favorite tracks: Stardust, September Song.
Loved every minute! Reminded me of Zero 7.
Favorite tracks: Mysterons, Sour Times, It Could Be Sweet, Roads
Easy listening. Alas, the most popular song (I assume) is my favorite: Walk On. 3.5 rounded down to 3.
Fire.
Favorite tracks: Friends, Since I've Been Loving You
This is another one of those that I didn't like as a kid, but am really taken with as an adult. Super happy I got a chance to relisten, I've been avoiding the album for years. Alas, I am still a fan of overplayed Chicago (the one track I liked as a youth, no surprise there), but here are a few of my new favorites:
Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Ill. ; The Black Hawk War... ; To the Workers of the Rock River Valley Region... ; Prairie Fire that Wanders About (hugeeee new favorite!!) ; Predatory Wasp... ; Night Zombies/Neighbors... ; Tallest Man, Broadest Shoulders ; Out of Egypt...
Overall, a great album. So fun and easy to listen to. Can't wait to listen to it more often.
